TACKLE WASTE & POLLUTION
Tackle waste & pollution, lessen the amount of waste and pollution resulting from tourism.
As an industry prone to overconsumption, tourism consequently produces a substantial amount of waste and pollution. In some places, tourists produce up to twice as much waste as local residents. This can put incredible strain on local waste management systems, causing landfills and sewage plants to overflow. Another major issue is the improper disposal of trash, raw sewage, and toxic chemicals by tourists, hotels, cruise ships, and others. In addition to making destinations less attractive, this litter and pollution can have detrimental effects on local people and wildlife.
While tourism contributes to our global waste problem, the industry can also be part of the solution. Tourism has the potential to build awareness around the issues and spur waste infrastructure improvements. If we want to preserve the beauty and health of the places we visit, we must take action to reduce the amount of waste we create and practice proper disposal.
Certain types of waste issues are more prevalent in tourism and pose a challenge for destinations to manage
Tourism generates a large amount of single-use plastic waste which poses a problem for local disposal systems and environments.
Plastic Pollution
An often overlooked type of waste, food waste is particularly a problem within the tourism and hospitality industry.
Improper disposal of sewage and other toxic chemicals by the tourism industry pollutes our waterways and oceans.
Water Pollution
Air travel and other travel activities generate carbon emissions and contribute to global climate change.
Carbon Emissions
What's at stake.
Waste and pollution have far-reaching impacts on environments, wildlife, visitors, and communities
Litter along coasts transforms beaches into less desirable destinations and may wash out to sea.
Oceans & Reefs
Ocean debris and untreated sewage pose a grave threat to marine animals who may get entangled, sick, or die.
Community Wellbeing
Pollution can have serious health effects and diminish the quality of life of local residents.
Scenic Areas
Trash that is left behind in parks and along trails detracts from the natural beauty of scenic areas.
Contaminated freshwater can cause health problems, poison wildlife, and throw off ecosystem balance.
What We're Doing
Clean & Healthy Destinations
We help destinations improve how they manage waste to create cleaner and healthier environments for residents and visitors alike.
Eco-Friendly Travel
We teach travelers how to adopt eco-friendly travel habits that create less waste and to dispose of their garbage properly so that they leave no trace.
Zero Waste Business
We help tourism businesses adopt sustainable practices and improve their waste management processes to minimize the amount of trash and pollution they produce.
Our Projects
Did you know.
Every year, 8 million metric tons of plastic enters our oceans and kills 100,000 marine animals.
Roughly one-third of the world’s food gets lost or wasted each year.
More than 80% of wastewater is discharged into rivers or sea without removing pollution.
Tourism is responsible for roughly 8% of the world’s carbon emissions.
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Discover how you can be a more sustainable traveler and lessen your impact on the planet.
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UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer
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Tourism Takes Action on Plastic Waste and Pollution
- All Regions
- 12 Jul 2021
Tourism businesses and destinations are stepping up their commitment to sustainability. Aimed at reducing waste and pollution across the sector, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI) is welcoming 32 new signatories, with every global region represented behind the shared goal.
The Initiative unites the tourism sector behind a common vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution. It enables businesses, governments and other tourism stakeholders to lead by example in the shift towards a circular economy of plastics. Among the 32 new signatories are organizations such as TUI Group, Palladium Hotel Group, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Hostelling International, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Visit Valencia. These new additions bring the total number of signatories up to 93 companies and organizations . These include organizations from stages of the tourism value chain, including accommodation providers, tour operators, online platforms, suppliers, waste managers and supporting organizations.
Andreas Vermöhlen, Manager for Sustainability, Circular Economy and Sustainable Development at TUI Group said: “Together we can make important steps towards less unnecessary single-use plastic in the world and shift towards a circular economy.”
Addressing plastic pollution is essential to sustainably restart tourism, preserve destinations and contribute to climate action
To mark the confirmation of the new signatories, UNWTO and the United Nations Environment Programme, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, held a special panel discussion with the theme Eliminate. Innovate. Circulate. Strategies from the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative . Participants included Accor Group, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Palladium Hotel Group, Chumbe Island Coral Park and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.
Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General said: “Addressing plastic pollution is essential to sustainably restart tourism, preserve destinations and contribute to climate action. We are proud to see the number of signatories growing continuously since the launch of the initiative.”
Alongside this, a keynote presentation on “ A Life Cycle Approach – Key messages for tourism businesses ” further highlighted the aims of the GTPI, with a special focus on innovation and the importance of context-based approaches to ensure plastics are circulated back into the economy rather than thrown away after use.
Related Links
- Download the news release in PDF
- Global Tourism Plastics Initiative
- Global Tourism Plastics Initiative: Newsletter - July 2021
- Subscribe to the Newsletter of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative
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In Kenya, the ban on single-use plastics has addressed its “plastic pollution catastrophe,” according to Najib Balala, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. “The ban has improved the state of Kenyan beaches and national parks with reduced visible plastic pollution,” says Balala. “Efforts should be global ...
As an industry prone to overconsumption, tourism consequently produces a substantial amount of waste and pollution. In some places, tourists produce up to twice as much waste as local residents. This can put incredible strain on local waste management systems, causing landfills and sewage plants to overflow. Another major issue is the improper ...
12 Jul 2021. Tourism businesses and destinations are stepping up their commitment to sustainability. Aimed at reducing waste and pollution across the sector, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI) is welcoming 32 new signatories, with every global region represented behind the shared goal. The Initiative unites the tourism sector behind ...